SSG George Scott Rentschler

Staff Sgt. George S. Rentschler of Louisville, Kentucky is remembered as a competitor, a mentor and someone who enjoyed humor. He attended Central High School and graduated from Male High School before joining the Army. During 10 years in the service, he held several jobs and spent time at Fort Knox; Fort Hood, Texas; and in Bosnia. In October, he shipped out for Iraq, with a short stop in Germany, where his wife and two sons stayed. During the service, his achievements in military career, including being awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart posthumously. He was scheduled to depart Iraq on leave on April 19. His mother said she had hoped he could be home in time for the Kentucky Derby. Instead, she received a phone call from her daughter-in-law telling her that her son had been killed. A couple of hours later, two Army officials from Fort Knox arrived and confirmed her son's death. Once he got out of the service, George Rentschler was hoping to become a coach, having always been involved in coaching youth teams in baseball and football. His mother is a substitute teacher for Jefferson County Public Schools and a minister at First Gethsemane Church, always had reservations about her son being sent to Iraq. George would try to reassure his mother about his safety. His wife, Rachel, and two sons had been living in Germany since he shipped out for Iraq. He was 31.
Army
1st Battalion
35th Armored Regiment
1st Armored Division
Baumholder, Germany